By Alexis Willey

Updated 9:35 am, Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Among the changing leaves, crisp air and other sure signs of fall is the reappearance of seasonal influenza vaccinations in preparation for peak flu season, which generally falls between October and March.

It's not a surprise that when we asked our readers their reasons for avoiding flu vaccinations, we were flooded with a wide range of responses. While some seemed plausible, others were based in urban legend and misinformation.

For the sake of good health and to help make sure this flu season isn't something to talk about, we tested our readers' theories against expert knowledge to help sort the truths from the tall tales, "MythBusters"- style.

Myth 1: "The only time I ever got the flu was when I got the flu shot"

Busted:According to Rossana Rawlins registered nurse at Ellis Medicine, "You cannot get the flu from a flu shot, because the vaccine is not a live vaccine — meaning the virus in the injectable vaccine is not active.

"The CDC reports that: Less than 1 percent of people who are vaccinated with the injectable vaccine (flu shot) develop flu-like symptoms, such as mild fever and muscle aches, after vaccination. These side effects are not the same as having influenza, but people confuse the symptoms.

''Also, to many people 'the flu' is any illness with fever and cold symptoms. If they get any viral illness, they may blame it on the flu shot or think they got 'the flu' despite being vaccinated. Influenza vaccine only protects against certain influenza viruses, not all viruses.

Remember, protective immunity takes about one to two weeks to build up after vaccination."

Myth 2:The flu is seldom fatal for anyone in good health.

Confirmed:"The risk for complications, hospitalizations and deaths are higher for adults age 65 and older, children younger than 5 years, and people of any age who have medical conditions," says Rawlins. Vaccination of the healthy helps to prevent transmission via close contact with people who are at risk of contracting the flu and becoming severely ill or dying.

Myth 3: Healthy eating/hand washing is enough to avoid infection

Busted:"Healthy eating does provide support to our immune system and hand washing is an important aspect of prevention," says Rawlins, "but flu viruses are very contagious and spread mainly by droplets from people with the flu when they cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can unknowingly land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Hand washing and diet alone cannot protect from this mode of transmission," she says.

Myth 4:The flu shot increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Busted: According to Dr. Francisco Gomez, chief of neurology at Ellis Medicine, there is currently no evidence to suggest that getting a flu shot will place you at a higher risk for getting Alzheimer's disease.

Myth 5:The flu shot contains lots of chemicals, i.e. mercury.

Busted: "Most pre-filled syringes and single dose vials of flu vaccine are mercury-free. However, most multi-dose vials still do contain mercury as a preservative," says Michael Pasquarella, the clinical pharmacy manager at Ellis Hospital.

Myth 7:If you're not around sick people all day you don't need a flu shot.

Busted:"Exposure to the influenza virus can occur in any setting," says Rawlins. "Often persons just coming down with the flu are not highly symptomatic and can unknowingly transmit the virus. Also, influenza virus can survive on objects in the environment for up to 2 days or more. A flu shot can protect you from getting the flu and from passing it along to others — keeping your family, co-workers and community safer and healthier."